But does it have something he really needs? I would understand the need for 06 vs 08 because of a timeline. But what other mind shattering concepts are available with pro apps that he would not get from imovie?

If he likes imovie 06 on a g4 and drops 5 g's on a mac pro setup. Will it overwhelm him or be something he can build upon with his prior knowledge?

I have no experience with video editing past imovie, so I just want an opinion of someone who has come up from the trenches.

I've never significantly used iMovie, but I do know iMovie is good for basic cutting, just like taking out the crappy parts of home movies. Maybe adding some transitions. Final Cut is multitrack video and audio, allows filters and effects. Basically iMovie is for people who don't know video and don't want to learn, whereas Final Cut Pro is essentially an industry standard.

If he's thinking about switching majors to TV or Film, Final Cut Pro is almost certainly what he will be using for his classes and career, so that might be what he'd want to try out first.

Which version would be the least frustrating with the most future curriculum value for a g4 1.2ghz with 1.25gb of ram?

I just want to prepare him before he makes the big leap in the fall. I just want him to get a good picture of what he wants, he just got out of the army (2 tours) and is kinda floating about what he wants to do. I sold him the ibook with the listed stats for 320 in case you think I am an A hole with remorse. We have been friends all our live and I just don't want him to take out the huge loans for equipment unless he is certain.

Which version would be the least frustrating with the most future curriculum value for a g4 1.2ghz with 1.25gb of ram?

Click to expand...

That will run iMovie 06 without breaking a sweat. I've edited dozens of videos on my 1.0GHz iBook G4 with half the RAM (640MB) without complaint. It is probably the best balance of ease-of-use : variety-of-features. Strongly recommended.

Why not try FCE? Doesn't cost that much and it has almost all the same features as FCP. Difference is in the details (pro-decks etc). Depending on what he wants (just consumer/prosumer dv cam's?). You can do all the work on FCE and perhaps later import the project flawlessly on FCP.

There should be somewhere a list with differences. Check it out, might be a good option and FCE doesn't need that much 'iron'.

I'm not sure FCE4 would even install on the iBook in question. I'm looking at the box for FCE4 and it gives the "minimum" system as a 1.25GHz G4; this one here is 1.2GHz. Close, I know, but I'd want to make darn sure it'll work before I spend the $$$. I tried installing it on my 1.0GHz iBook G4 and it laughed at me.

I'm not sure FCE4 would even install on the iBook in question. I'm looking at the box for FCE4 and it gives the "minimum" system as a 1.25GHz G4; this one here is 1.2GHz. Close, I know, but I'd want to make darn sure it'll work before I spend the $$$. I tried installing it on my 1.0GHz iBook G4 and it laughed at me.

Click to expand...

Why not get an older version?

I strongly recommend Final Cut over iMovie. I started with iMovie and one day was given FCP4 and I couldn't even find how to import video from tape for some time! O_O

iMovie is for those who don't plan on moving further. Its VERY different from FC, aimed at grandmas to use. However if you start from Final Cut (express) and then find a need to move to something more advanced (Final Cut Pro) it would be very easy to do because FCE and FCP are largely identical apps and are based on the same interface principles.

MacRumors attracts a broad audience
of both consumers and professionals interested in
the latest technologies and products. We also boast an active community focused on
purchasing decisions and technical aspects of the iPhone, iPod, iPad, and Mac platforms.